What are the performance implications of using smart pointers in C++11?

What are the performance implications of using smart pointers in C++11?

Smart pointers in C++11, like std::shared_ptr and std::unique_ptr, manage memory automatically, but they can introduce overhead.

How does std::shared_ptr compare to raw pointers in terms of performance?

std::shared_ptr incurs additional overhead due to reference counting, which can slow down performance compared to raw pointers.

Are there scenarios where using smart pointers is significantly better?

Yes, in scenarios involving complex ownership and resource management, smart pointers can prevent memory leaks and dangling pointers.

What about the impact on multithreading performance?

In multithreading, std::shared_ptr can lead to contention due to its reference counting, while std::unique_ptr is lightweight and thread-safe.